Container Desiccants for Agricultural and Fresh Produce Cargo

DunLash Ultra · FCC Approved · Absorbs 250%+ Moisture · Trusted by South African Exporters

Why Agricultural Cargo Needs Container Desiccants

Agricultural exports are among the most moisture-sensitive cargo types that move through South African ports. Fresh produce, grain, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, and packaged food products all carry significant inherent moisture — and are highly vulnerable to the temperature fluctuations and condensation that occur inside shipping containers during ocean freight.

Container rain — the condensation that forms on the inner surfaces of a container when warm, humid air cools during the voyage — is the primary cause of moisture damage to agricultural exports. It leads to mould growth, packaging collapse, product spoilage, and insurance claims that affect the profitability of every consignment it reaches.

DunLash Ultra container desiccants absorb up to 250% of their weight in moisture at 30°C and 80% relative humidity, preventing condensation from forming and protecting cargo throughout the full journey from packing to destination port.

In addition to our container desiccant products, we offer a full range of cargo protection and moisture control solutions:

• DunLash Ultra Container Desiccant Specifications
• PacDry Primary Desiccant
• Container Desiccants
• Fresh Produce Cargo Securing Solutions
• Polyester Cargo Lashing
• Dunnage Bags

The Moisture Challenge for South African Agricultural Exports

South Africa’s major agricultural export corridors present specific moisture challenges:

• Durban port loading — high ambient humidity at South Africa’s east coast creates elevated moisture levels inside containers at point of packing.
• Cape Town and Port Elizabeth — seasonal humidity variation affects moisture load at packing.
• Equatorial crossing — voyages from South Africa to Europe, Asia, and the Americas cross the equator, exposing containers to extreme temperature cycles that drive condensation events.
• Reefer cargo temperature management — while reefer containers maintain low temperatures, temperature differentials between cargo, air, and container walls still create condensation risk.
• Wooden pallet moisture — agricultural cargo is almost always palletised on timber, which contains significant moisture that off-gasses inside the sealed container.

DunLash Desiccant Solutions for Agricultural Cargo

Container-Level Protection: DunLash Ultra

DunLash Ultra 750g bags are hung directly inside the container to absorb moisture from the container atmosphere. The recommended dosage for standard agricultural cargo in GP containers is:

• 20ft GP container — minimum 4 x DunLash Ultra 750g bags
• 40ft GP container — minimum 8 x DunLash Ultra 750g bags
• Higher pallet moisture content, longer voyages, or equatorial crossings may require increased dosage. Contact DunLash for a customised recommendation.

Primary Packaging Protection: PacDry

For agricultural products packed in sealed primary packaging — dried fruit in sealed bags, coffee in vacuum-packed bags, spices in sealed containers, supplements in sealed bottles — DunLash PacDry primary desiccants provide moisture control within the individual package.

PacDry is Montmorillonite clay, US MIL-D-3464E compliant, and chemically inert, making it suitable for use alongside a wide range of food products.

Specific Applications by Cargo Type

Reefer Cargo and Fresh Produce: Additional Protection

For fresh produce moved in reefer containers, DunLash works alongside the RAFT Kit, or Reefer Air Flow Technology, solution distributed by DunLash. The RAFT Kit manages cold air circulation inside reefer containers to maintain temperature uniformity and reduce condensation on produce surfaces.

Together, DunLash Ultra desiccants and the RAFT Kit provide a complete moisture and temperature management solution for South Africa’s citrus, grape, stone fruit, and tropical fruit exporters moving product to European, Asian, and Middle Eastern markets under steri-cold protocol.

Why Choose DunLash for Agricultural Cargo Moisture Protection?

DunLash supplies moisture control and cargo protection products for South African exporters, freight forwarders, agricultural producers, packhouses, logistics companies, and food cargo operators.

Our solutions help protect agricultural and food cargo from condensation, container rain, mould growth, packaging collapse, corrosion, and moisture-related claims during road, rail, and ocean freight.

DunLash can assist with desiccant dosage recommendations based on cargo type, container type, voyage duration, route profile, pallet moisture, and specific export requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions — Agricultural Cargo Desiccants

Are DunLash desiccants approved for food and agricultural cargo?

Yes. DunLash Ultra is FCC compliant for use with cocoa beans and is free of dimethylfumarate, complying with EU Directive 2009/251/EC. It is suitable for use with a wide range of agricultural and food cargo. PacDry is chemically inert Montmorillonite clay and is also suitable for use alongside food products. Contact DunLash to confirm suitability for your specific product.

How many desiccant bags does a container of citrus need?

The correct dosage depends on the moisture content of the fruit, the pallets, and the packaging, the voyage duration and routing, and whether the container is a standard GP or reefer unit.

As a starting point, the minimum recommendation is 4 bags for a 20ft container and 8 bags for a 40ft container. For citrus and other fresh produce, DunLash recommends a customised assessment based on your specific export profile.

Can I use desiccants in reefer containers?

Yes. DunLash Ultra is rated for operating temperatures from −20°C to 60°C, making it compatible with reefer container environments. The product continues absorbing moisture at low reefer temperatures. For reefer cargo, combining DunLash Ultra with the RAFT Kit airflow management system provides the most complete protection.

Why is moisture control important for agricultural exports?

Agricultural cargo often carries inherent moisture and is frequently shipped on wooden pallets, which can release moisture into the container. During temperature changes, this moisture can form condensation, resulting in mould, spoilage, damaged packaging, and cargo claims.

Which agricultural products benefit from container desiccants?

Container desiccants are commonly used for citrus, stone fruit, grapes, grain, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, wine, beverages, packaged food products, and other moisture-sensitive agricultural exports.

Can DunLash provide a customised desiccant recommendation?

Yes. DunLash can recommend a desiccant quantity based on the cargo type, container size, voyage length, route, pallet moisture, packaging type, and temperature exposure.

Contact DunLash for a customised desiccant recommendation for your agricultural export cargo, voyage route, and container type.

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